Safety platform for oil well derricks



18, 1942- A. H. BRUNBERG 2,293,380

SAFETY PLATFORM FOR OIL WELL DERRICKS Filed March 14, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l Inventor v a? Archibald jifirurzbery A 1942. A. H.BRUNB,ERG ,293,

SAFETY PLATFORM FOR OIL WELL DERRICKS Filed March 14, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Art'hz'bald jffirzmbely Patented Aug. 18, 1 942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY PLATFORM FOR OIL WELL DERRICKS Archibald H. Brunberg, Los Angeles, Calif. Application March 14, 1941, Serial No. 383,322

3 Claims.

The hereinafter described invention relates to improvements in oil well derricks and more particularly to the work platforms thereof as secured to the derrick frame.

I have found that the present work platforms employed in oil well derricks do not give to the derrick hands or operators adequate pro tection in the performance of their duties, and it is among the objects of my invention to provide a structure possessing new and novel features and advantages whereby a maximum of safety is assured and present existing hazards are practically overcome.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved platform structure with a substantially level deck running between the inside and outside columns of the derrick frame, which will serve as a, safety platform as well as work platform and which by its means of attachment to the derrick frame permits a more expeditious and wider range of adjustability than platforms of the class now used in oil well derricks.

At present platforms of the so-called safety type are secured to the outside of the derrick frame and loose boards are carried on the inside of the derrick frame for the derrick hands to work on. Surface disalignment of the loose boards comprising the present work portion inside of the derrick frame with the portion outside the derrick frame presents a serious hazard to the workmen. Workmen, through the permitting of the present platformstructure to be made with boards set at their discretion, are vary careless in the placement of such boards, and more frequently than otherwise a high board with edge extending above the surface of the outer platform is the fruitful cause of the workman stubbing his toe and tripping, with resultant serious personal injury.

By the improvements of my invention a safety platform structure is provided with a common stabilized surface extending outwardly and inwardly beyond the inclined corner columns of a standard steel oil well derrick, which can be raised or lowered as a unit between the girts thereof.

In order that a comprehensive understanding of my structure may be had, reference is made to the illustrative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the improvements of my invention as assembled in place on the steel oil well derrick.

, Figure 2 is abroken end elevation of my improved safety platform as suspended in place on the derrick.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3--3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is plan view illustrating the structure of my improvement and its situation with respect to the derrick frame.

Fig. 6 is a sectional end elevation taken on line 6-6, Fig. 5.

In the drawings like numerals indicate like parts throughout. Numeral I0 denotes the inclined corner columns of a structural steel oil well derrick of general use and numerals II, I2 and I3, cross girts of the derrick frame, these numerals indicating in the present instance the 11th, 12th and 13th angle iron girts respectively of the derrick frame between which my improved platform is adjustably held by structural members which permit it to be raised or lowered while ,maintaining the platform surface substantially level. The members referred to in the illustrative embodiments herewith include the vertically disposed angle iron I4 carrying the cross tie angle irons I6, I1 and I8 and the vertically disposed angle iron I5 carrying the cross tie angle irons I9, 20 and 2I. The respective crosstie angles are secured to the angle irons I4 and I5 by bolts, as denoted by the common letter B, and to the girts II, I2 and I3 by hook bolts as denoted by the common letter J. Angle irons I I and I5 are-perforated throughout their length with holes as denoted by the common letter H. These holes are substantially equidistant and are of size for receiving the cross angle iron bolts B.

Having described the means of attachment of my improved platform to the derrick frame, I will now describe the platform itself as secured thereto. In general the platform as shown comprises structural steel members, the angle iron shapes of which include the support for the platform deck, the railing above the deck and the platform braces. The deck supporting angle irons 22, 23, 24 and 25 are so situated with respect to the derrick frame columns ID, that they extend both inwardly and outwardly from the cross girts II, I2 and I3 thereby bringing the portion of the platform deck as denoted within the bracket (A) outside of the derrick frame and the portion as denoted by the bracket (B) within the derrick frame-this being more particularly shown by Fig. 5.

The deck presents a flush surface comprising in the present embodiment board planking, secured in the angle iron sills 22, 23, 24 and 25, and is substantially rectangular in shape with the exception of the open space in the portion (A) through which the derrick ladder 26 passes. The longer sides of the deck run parallel with the cross girts ll, [2 and I3, and the deck length is made so as to permit of the vertical adjustment of the platform between the girts ll, l2 and I3 without interference with the inwardly inclining derrick columns in. Now, referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and 6. The platform as an assembled unit is secured to the perforated vertically disposed angle irons l4 and I5. A three point connection is made between the platform unit and the angle irons I4 and I5. Connection of the platform unit to the angle iron [4 is made by the connecting bolts 21, 23 and 29 which pass through holes in the upper angle iron 30 of the platform railing, the railing bracing angles 3|, and 32, the fiat railing brace 33, the platform deck supporting angle iron 23, and the holes H in the angle iron [4. In similar manner the opposite side of the platform unit is connected to angle iron [5 by the bolts 34, 35 and 36, which pass through the upper angle iron 31 of the platform railing, the railing bracing angle irons 38 and 39, the flat railing brace 40, the deck supporting angle iron 22, and the holes H in the angle iron [5. Steel toe plates 4!, 42 and 43 are carried above the deck supporting angle irons 22, 23 and 24 as a safety measure on the three railing sides of the platform. The inner side of the platform is made without a railing, so that the derrick hands have free access to the platform deck portion inside of the derrick frame and in the location between the 11th, 12th and 13th girts as illustrated this portion of my structure is utilized as a rod deck in place of the rod boards now commonly employed.

In the present existing practice the rod boards inside of the derrick frame are required to be carried clear across two opposite girts of the derrick frame so as to provide a base for the boards. The boards are cut to a length which will span the particular girts serving as their base. When a different height of work or rod deck is required new board lengths are cut to span the distance between girts and as the work deck is lowered new boards of longer length are necessary to span the greater width between girts due to the spreading of the inclining corner columns of the derrick frame. Furthermore, when the work desk is required at a level between existing girts it is necessary to employ fals cross girts, between the permanent cross girts of the derrick frame, to support the work deck boards. This present practice is slow and expensive compared with the improvements of my structure, for it will be clear that by changing the position of the bolt connections between my platform frame and the holes H of the supporting angle irons l4 and IE it can be quickly raised and lowered as a unit to suit any desired level of the platform deck.

Installation of my platform can best be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 2. The vertically disposed members l4 and H: are first secured to the derrick girts by the J bolts as shown. The placement of these members is such that they are parallel to the derrick side upon which the platform is installed. A section of the derrick ladder 23 is removed between the girts as well as the cross braces between two of the girts so as to provide a clearance for the platform to pass through the girts. The assembled platform is now hoisted either from inside or the outside of the derrick so that it will penetrate through the opening between girts when connection is made to the vertically dispose-d angle iron members l4 and I5 by the bolts 21, 28 and 29 on member [4 and by the bolts 34, 35 and 36 on the member l5. This now places the plane deck of the platform with the safety portion thereof on the outside of the derrick and the work portion thereof on the inside of the derrick. The ladder section and the cross braces removed are now set back in place.

When the platform is to be shifted to a different set of girts, this may be effected in two ways; for example, if the change of location between girts is to be immediately above or below the existing location, the assembled platform with its supporting members I4 and I5 can be moved up or down, by first disconnecting the J bolts on the girts and then temporarily removing such girts and cross braces between girts as may be required for clearance, it not being necessary in this instance to remove a ladder section as the ladder will pass through the deck opening of the platform. Connection of the vertically disposed members [4 and 15 to the new set of cross girts is again made by the J bolts and the girts and cross braces as removed are placed back in their original position. If the platform is to be shifted a considerable distance up or down from its location, then it is advisable to first remove it from the supporting members l4 and I?) by disconnecting the bolts 21, 28 and 29 and the bolts 34, 35 and 36 by which it is secured to the respective supporting members, when the supporting members can be readily removed and shifted to the set of girts desired and without the necessity of removing and replacing any considerable number of intervening girts and cross braces. After again connecting the members 14 and IE to the new set .of girts by the J bolts the assembled platform is inserted through the girts and connected to the supporting members in the manner as first above described.

From the foregoing description it will be clear that by the improvements of my invention a platform for oil well derricks is provided which effectively eliminates the present hazards to men employed in this class of work by virtue of its common plane deck which extends from the outside to the inside of the derrick frame while giving an extended utility beyond the present platforms through the ready adjustability of the safety and work deck in a structure which can be quickly raised or lowered as a unit to suit working conditions.

I desireit to be understood that my invention is not restricted to the exact structure as set out herewith and that reasonable modifications may be made without departing from its principles, my invention being limited only by the extent of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an oil well derrick, a substantially vertical platform supporting means secured to the derrick girts on one side of the derrick frame, a platform having a flat deck and being carried by said means through the derrick girts with its deck in a substantially horizontal plane extending from the outside to the inside of the derrick, there being means on said supporting means for shifting the platform vertically and the platform deck remaining substantially in the plane of its original setting between girts.

2. In an oil well derrick, a platform having one portion thereof situated on the outside of'the derrick and its other portion penetrating into the derrick through the derrick girts, a support for said platform connected to the derrick girts on one side of the derrick frame and running substantially parallel with the derrick side, the platform having a plane deck and said deck being carried on said support through the derrick girts in a horizontal position, the platform being shiftable vertically on said support and the respective portions thereof and the deck remaining substantially in their original position on said support.

3. A platform for an oil well derrick having one portion thereof on the outside of the derrick and its other portion on the inside of the derrick and having a deck with a plane surface, the platform being supported by vertically disposed membersconnected to the derrick girts, said members being parallel to the derrick side upon which the platform is supported and parallel to each other, the platform passing through said members and the derrick girts in a horizontal plane and being shiftable vertically on said members between the derrick girts and remaining substantially in its original position as set on the derrick.

ARCHIBALD-H. BRUNBERG. 

